Under the arches of the Kuang Hua Bridge is one of Taipei's oldest and best known "culture" bazaars. In the past it was noted for its great variety of old books, where browsers might find some out-of-print or perhaps only existing literary treasure on sale at a low price. Today, however, the bazaar is more known for its antique shops.

Every weekend, an antique auction is held. Crowds of people gather round long narrow auction tables upon which five containers are placed to hold the various bids written down on pieces of paper by prospective buyers. Items up for auction range from valuable relics to folk handicrafts and even discarded bric-a-brac. Businessmen, architects, school presidents, college professors and other antique shop owners rub shoulders with tourists and amateur collectors to vie for possession of the treasures put up for sale.

The auctioneer, Mr. Chen, said that bidders must register a number in his office before taking part in the auction. They must also observe certain rules during the proceedings. For instance, there are two methods for the seller to have his goods handled in auction, which can be roughly translated as "motion" or "motionless." In the first method, the seller places five NT dollars in a container. If he approves of the highest bid, he gives the money to the second highest bidder to show the deal is completed; if not, he gives it to the highest bidder to show the price is not high enough. Under the "motionless" system, the seller must accept the highest bid offered, whether he is satisfied or not. In either case, he pays five percent of the proceedings as commission to the auctioneer.

One of the most recent additions to the auction has been a flood of traditional items from the countryside. This is because, as farmers have been able to afford more modern residences, they have torn down their old houses. The discarded bricks, tiles, door god paintings, pieces of calligraphy and even pans, bowls and ladles become valuable items in the antique market.

Many of the visitors to the Kuang Hua market are officials of television companies looking for authentic items to decorate their sets. An architect named Mr. Huang is, however, more interested in the delicate carving techniques and nostalgia evoked by the ancient treasures.

Occasionally, the owners of the antique shops may come across a really rare and valuable piece. Mr. Yu, owner of the Chiaoyu Tan antique shop described how he acquired at a low price a fine pottery vase dating from the Eastern Chou Dynasty about 2,500 years ago, excavated in 1968 by workers at a building site in Tamsui in northern Taiwan. He turned down an offer of US$1 million from an American buyer, because he felt the article was part of the Republic of China's cultural heritage. He regards himself as the temporary possessor of the treasure, and intends eventually to donate it to the National Palace Museum so that everyone can admire its beauty.

As economic development continues to thrust the Republic of China into the modern era, the Kuang Hua antiques auction market provides a reminder of the richness of the nation's past.